San Pedro y San Pablo Ayutla

San Pedro y San Pablo Ayutla is a mountain municipality in the Sierra Mixe region of Oaxaca, located at approximately 2,180 meters elevation. The settlement spreads across about 108 square kilometers of hilly terrain with homes nestled among forests and agricultural areas.

The settlement developed as a key community in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca and maintained indigenous systems of governance through communal assemblies. This approach to self-management continues to shape how decisions are made in the municipality today.

The community speaks Mixe as part of daily life, with the language woven into family conversations and local gatherings. People gather regularly in assemblies to discuss and decide matters together, keeping their indigenous traditions central to how they live.

The region has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from about 2°C to 31°C, and rainfall is heaviest between May and October. Visitors should be prepared for mountainous terrain and varying weather conditions, bringing appropriate clothing depending on the season.

The Cerro de la Cruz is the highest peak in the surrounding area and contains a natural cave formation at its summit. Locals have long valued this cave as a place of significance and it draws visitors curious about the landscape.